4 Everyday Habits Which Are Having An Effect On Your Mental Health

Over recent years, mental health and wellness has become a hugely important factor in our day to day wellbeing. Many different studies and research papers have shown that our mental health is just as critical as our physical well-being.

However, the only problem with the increase in awareness is that many of us are still not familiar with what we can do to help our mental health. There are some things you can do which are relatively straightforward, but there may be some things that you do in your day-to-day life which are causing further stress to your body and affecting your mental health.

Depression affects around 10% of the population and 1 in 4 of us will feel the effects of mental health illnesses each week. Whilst obvious things, such as illness, unemployment and bereavement are all triggers for low-moods, there are some daily habits which could contribute to your mental health.

Night Light

You might not even realise it, but the dim glow of the TV or streetlights outside your window whilst you’re trying to sleep can all have a negative effect on your brain. This is because light can interfere with the production of melatonin, which is the hormone that helps your body realise it is nighttime and that you need to sleep. If you do struggle with light interference, then it may be best to invest in some blackout blinds and switch off any electrical devices which emit light or noise during the night.

The Way You Dress

Research has suggested that what we choose to wear is heavily dependent on our emotional state and women who are feeling depressed are much more likely to wear jeans and a baggy t-shirt. In order to boost your mood, wear clothes which you associate with happiness, especially if you are feeling low because the strong link between the two will instantly change your mood. Clothes which make us feel happy are clothes that a well-cut, soft and beautiful fabrics and which are figure-enhancing.

Skipping Fish Dishes

There has been a confirmed link between low fish consumption and increased feelings of depression. A Norwegian study of 5,000 people found that fish eaters reportedly felt that their mental health was better than those who didn’t eat fish. The unsaturated fatty acids found in fish are known to act as a mood stabiliser. In order to boost your mood, try to eat oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon and fresh tuna, at least twice a week. If you don’t like fish, or can’t eat that much a week, then take some high strength fish oil instead. Omega-3 is an important supplement which is beneficial for many health ailments and general wellness, so taking regular fish oil capsules will help your overall wellbeing.

Too Many Cups of Coffee

In the very same way that fatty and sugary foods can take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, coffee and high-caffeine drinks can have the same effects. Caffeine consumption will set off a stress response to your brain which will then stimulate the production of adrenaline that will then make you more alert. In the long term, too much caffeine can cause constant adrenal overload and, as a consequence, a growing number of people suffer from chronic anxiety, low mood and panic attacks. Try to cut back on the caffeine throughout the day and avoid it completely after 4 pm.